Osteochondrosis of the neck is an occupational disease. It develops with a sedentary lifestyle, incorrect position of the spine. The first signs appear at the age of 20. In exacerbation, the question arises for the treatment of osteochondrosis of the neck.
Degenerative-dystrophic processes in the cervical vertebrae have a certain specificity. It is associated with the structures of the vertebrae, in which there are many moving elements. The neck holds his head, he is constantly in tension. Due to muscle spasm, loss of mobility of the vertebrae, vessels, nerve bundles are compressed. It leads to severe pain, loss of ability to work, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness and other unpleasant symptoms. Due to the mobility of the cervical spine, treatment is difficult.
Where, when to start treatment?
Osteochondrosis belongs to a group of diseases that cannot be cured in the later stages. In advanced cases it is worth to ease the course, to restore the mobility of the spine. In the early stages there is an opportunity to fully recover, to get rid of osteochondrosis, but the process can develop again.
The earlier you start treatment, the more effective it will be. It is easier to prevent the development of the disease in the future to constantly take preventive measures than to regularly experience the symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis.
For those who have unexpectedly found an attack of neck pain, the question of where to treat cervical osteochondrosis is important.
It is worth contacting a special medical institution, where there is a vertebrologist, neurologist. After clarifying the diagnosis, a complex treatment of the disease is prescribed.
An alternative is home treatment, self-medication. This is in addition to the procedures prescribed by the doctor, medications. In this case, the patient is responsible for health.
First aid should be given at home by taking a pill with analgesic properties.
Taking a painkiller does not replace a visit to the doctor. Ideally, you need a vertebrologist, a neurologist.
Traditional Medicine
Depending on the stage of cervical osteochondrosis, the patient's habits, lifestyle, comorbidities, determining the cause of pain, the doctor decides how to properly treat cervical osteochondrosis. The following goals are pursued in the treatment: relief of the symptoms of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, therapeutic measures aimed at improvement, inhibition of the course of the disease.
There are many methods, ways. They are used in different situations, in different order. The doctor prescribes the following treatment:
- Prescribes painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics. Tasks - relieving muscle tension, eliminating the compression of blood vessels, nerve fibers, eliminating the source of inflammation. Relieves pain, begins the recovery process. The group is represented by drugs prescribed in the form of tablets, ointments, injections.
- A drug is prescribed that stimulates the recovery of cartilage and bone tissue. It is usually available in tablets, less often injections. This treatment is "for the future". Helping to repair damaged tissues inhibits the process, reduces the likelihood of remission. Ointments, warming gels, anti-inflammatory action are prescribed.
- Manual therapy. Relieves muscle spasm, stimulates metabolic processes in the damaged area, activates the body's abilities. Therapeutic gymnastics, massage sessions, hirudotherapy, reflexology, acupuncture are prescribed.
- Surgical intervention. Irreversible processes (disc herniation) are eliminated by surgery.
In addition, the doctor prescribes diets rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is recommended to change your habits, to do regular warm-ups. In the first days of the onset of the disease is prescribed bed rest, special corsets that support the head and relax the muscles of the neck.
In case of cervical osteochondrosis you should see a doctor. Self-medication will cause more damage to health. The doctor will determine treatment options, prescribe medication, or change medications.
Home treatment
Many people like the treatment of the disease at home - they save money, the events are held in a familiar, comfortable environment.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine should be comprehensive. Initially, it is necessary to stop the pain with the help of ointments, gels, creams, home compresses.
Equally important in this case is the daily exercise of self-massage, gymnastic exercises. In addition, you will have to completely change your lifestyle - to reconsider your diet, to move more, to be in the fresh air.
Home treatment of cervical osteochondrosis is a group of techniques aimed at improving the condition affecting the pathological process.
Effective and popular home treatments:
Self-massage, massage
The procedure will bring noticeable results from taking medication. Massage performed alone, with the help of a third person, improves blood circulation, metabolic processes in the affected area and relaxes muscles. Leads to the elimination of pain, dizziness, tingling.
If there is no known masseur who is ready to conduct treatment at home, you must perform kneading, rubbing, ironing, pinching. The main thing is to listen to the body, not to hurt.
Devices for the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis
Procedures performed by doctors must be replaced by special devices. Several types of appliances are used for massage, which are difficult to damage if used properly.
There are complex technical devices. Treatment of cervical osteochondrosis with acupuncture is effective, but finding a specialist is not easy. The procedure is performed with a special applicator by Kuznetsov. The devices include special pillows, corsets and other means that keep the spine in the correct position.
Physiotherapy
Gymnastics, warm-up is the easiest way to take care of the spine yourself. There are groups of exercises that are done in the morning at work, which take a few minutes. In cervical osteochondrosis, bends are chosen, inclinations of the head to the side. Warming the shoulder girdle is sometimes effective.
ethnoscience
The basis of the drugs are plant extracts. The treatment uses tinctures, decoctions of herbs, home-made ointments, to the components of which they are not allergic, according to the effect of substitute drugs. In cervical osteochondrosis, use horseradish leaves (painkillers), potatoes with honey, pastries as compresses. There are many plants used for the disease.
Self-administration of drugs
There are many medicines in pharmacies. You can choose healing patches, ointments, gels for external use. It is not recommended to prescribe pills alone. In severe pain you can drink painkillers.
Preventive actions
It is better to prevent the development of cervical osteochondrosis. To do this, it is worth leading an active lifestyle, exercising regularly, gymnastics. If the work involves prolonged sitting in one place, regular warm-up breaks are taken, the position of the back and head is monitored. For sleep you need to choose comfortable mattresses, pillows, use orthopedic products.
At the first suspicion, it is recommended to go to the doctor to make an accurate diagnosis, make a treatment plan and adjust preventive measures. The cervical spine should be treated carefully, to listen to the sensations of the body.